Rail-joint.



PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

B. J. FUNSOH RAIL JOINT.

APPLIGATIOI rum) KAY 2.1903.

R0 MODEL.

I I v Snoentoz 3% d fiizacz W m w UNITED STATES Patented September 1,

BOYD J. FUNSCH, OF JACKPINE, MICHIGAN.

RAIL-JOINT.

EJPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,024, datedSeptember 1, 1903.

Application filed May 2, 1908. Serial No. 155,388. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Born J. FUNSOH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Jackpine, in the county of Crawford and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in rail-joints, andrelates more particularly to a splice-bar for securing together theadjoining ends of rails.

The object of the invention is to provide a barof simple and durableconstruction adapted to receive the ends of the rails and securelyfasten them together without necessitating the use of bolts or othersimilar fastening devices.

A further object is to provide a splice-bar which will support the endsof the rails and prevent sagging thereof and the resultant pounding ofcar-wheels passing thereover.

IVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists inproviding a splicebar comprising a base having parallel longitudinally-extending strips integral therewith and extending upward fromthe center thereof. These strips form a groove therebetween, the bottomof which is cut away at intervals to receive lugs formed upon the loweredges of the webs at the ends of the rails to bejoined. The flanges ofsaid rails are cut away at the ends, so as to permit the same to bereadily inserted into the groove in the splice-bar.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction andcombination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form ofmy invention, and in Which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing railsconnected bymeans of myimprovedsplicebar. Fig. 2 is an elevation of saidrails and showing the splice-bar in section. Fig. 3 is a perspectiveView of the splice-bar detached, a portion of one side of said bar beingbroken away; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one end of a rail.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, lie the base of thesplice-bar, which conforms in shape with the flanges of the rails to bejoined thereby, and extending upward from this base, adjacent the centerthereof, are parallel longitudinally-extending strips 2, which areintegral with the base. These strips form a groove 3 therebetween, thebottom 4 of which is cut away at intervals to form slots 5. The flanges(S of the rails to be joined are cut away at points adjacent the ends ofthe rails, and the webs 7 at said ends are provided with downwardlyextending lugs 8, which are so spaced apart as to fit within the slots5, formed within the splicebar. The central slot within said. bar ispreferably twice the size of the other slots, so as to accommodate theend lugs of the two rails to be joined.

When it is desired tojoin rails by means of the bar herein described,said bar is placed at the proper point upon the ties and the ends of therails are lowered into'the groove 3, so as to bring the lugs 8 thereofinto the slots 5, as illustrated in Fig. 2. It is obvious that after therails have been placed in these positions independent longitudinalmovement thereof is prevented, and, moreover, the bottom at of thegroove 3 serves to support the ends of the rails, and sagging thereof istherefore prevented. In order to hold the ends of the rails firmlywithin the splice-bar, I preferably employ bolts 9, which extendtransversely through the flanges 2 and slots 10 in the ends of therails. By forming slots within the bot tom of the groove 3 accumulationof dirt, 850., beneath the lugs 8 is prevented, and therefore the railscan be properly seated within the bar without delay caused by thenecessity of cleaning the interior of said bar.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of myinvention; butI do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve theright to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of myinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In arail-joint, the combination with rails having base-flanges cut away atthe ends and having downwardly-extending lugs integral with said ends;of a splice-bar comprising a base, upwardly-extending parallel flanges vupon the base forming a, groove therein for therethrough for thereception of lugs on the 10 the reception of the ends of the rails, thebotends of rails.

tom of said groove having slots extending In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature therethrough for the reception of the lugs on in presenceof two Witnesses.

5 the rails.

2. A splice-bar comprising a base, and par- BOYD FUNSOH' ailel integralflanges thereon extending 1on- Witnesses: gitudinally thereof andforming a groove, the SILAS C. BRIGGS,

bottom of said groove having slots extending l CONRAD WELMES.

